After almost a week of being at home, I finally had a visit from my in-home physical therapist last Friday. As far as exercises, there were no surprises, since I’ve been through this a few times already. My hip has been feeling pretty good, except after my exercises when my entire thigh aches with deep pain.

Prior to my surgery I had assumed that the range of motion and strength issues I had been living with would magically disappear. Instead, all of my limitations are still here. Most notably, I can still barely lift my right leg off the ground, and my right leg won’t extend behind my body while walking or standing. I guess the good news is I should be able to correct everything with physical therapy. The bad news is, it’s going to be a long time until my body returns to it’s pre-avascular necrotic state.

I arrived at the Hospital for Special Surgery a few minutes after 8AM. We found the 4th floor family atrium and signed in. My family sat in the atrium, while I registered and received my ID bracelet down the hall. Not long after registering, I was brought into the pre-op area, and told to change into a hospital gown. While in pre-op with 3 other patients, each behind our own curtain, I was allowed to have one visitor with me at a time. My family took turns spending time with me during the next three hours of waiting. During that time, an IV and IV fluids were started, I met the anesthesiologist (a really nice guy), and had a full medical history taken a couple times. My leg was shaved using an electric buzzer and then cleaned.

My surgery was scheduled for 11:30AM, but I wasn’t wheeled into the operating room until 12:30. I was asked to shift myself onto this strange padded reclined chair. The anesthesiologist said he was giving me a little medication to help me relax. I asked what it was, and he said it was Versed. Without warning, seconds later I was out. Read more…

Woke up this morning around 5:30AM, covered in sweat. I got up and cracked a window, but it wasn’t particularly hot in my bedroom. I then remembered the last dream I was having, where I was running a race. I remember struggling terribly and having the urge to quit with every step.

It has been almost five years since I broke my hip. I’d be lying if I said I never thought about giving up. I am incredibly relieved that the day for this next, and possibly last surgery, has finally come. If all goes well, in 6 or 7 hours from now I will be waking up with a new hip, no limp, and pain-free for the first time in years.

Things went very well. I arrived a little before my scheduled 9AM start time. After meeting with patient registration, they took some blood for labs, did a chest x-ray, and did a urine screen. Things went very smoothly and everyone was very nice.

I went back down to the lobby and read while I waited for my 11AM total hip replacement education class to begin. The class was a little over an hour long and was taught by a nurse educator, physical therapist, and case manager. There were about 10 patients in the class, and not surprisingly I was the youngest one. They gave me a bunch of reading materials and a DVD about what to do before my surgery, and what to expect during and after my hospital stay. I’ve never had a hospital provide provide so much information prior to a surgery before. It makes a lot of sense to prepare patients as much as possible prior to the procedure, as opposed to waiting until they’re in pain and on narcotics.

After class I roamed around the East side to find some lunch. At 2PM I met with a doctor who cleared me physically for my surgery. She said that my leg length discrepancy may be corrected, but at the least would be improved. I got home a little after 4PM both tired and excited for my surgery. Only one week away!